For the many months that I have not posted, Prop 8 has slowly been working its way through the legal system. Just yesterday, the United States Supreme Court agreed to hear the case. Expect a decision near the end of June.

I am fascinated by the cultural shift over same-sex marriage since 2008 when we first fought the battle to protect marriage in California. I remember my article from 2009 decrying GLAD’s plan to legalize gay marriage in New England by 2012 Look at this map published by the LA Times just last month – THEY SUCCEEDED! Think about all the token gay couples we now see on television sitcoms and dramas. Think about President Obama’s refusal to support the Defense of Marriage Act. So many people have been duped into believing that changing the definition of marriage will have no serious consequences for our society. It’s just not true. For those who need a refresher, see this excellent article from Beetle Blogger:

The drama continues. A few days after issuing his decision overturning Proposition 8, Judge Walker proclaimed that gay marriages would recommence in California unless his decision was stayed by a higher court. Thankfully, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has intervened. They said that Judge Walker’s decision is suspended until at least December, when they will hear an appeal from our side.

Some now question if the case will make it all the way to the United States Supreme Court due to the question of standing. Because the lawsuit was originally filed against the Governor and Attorney General, the argument goes that only they have the right to appeal the decision. It seems kind of stupid that the Protect Marriage coalition was allowed to defend Prop 8, but now may not have the authority to appeal the case. Anyways, that’s one of the issues the 9th circuit has to work out.

If this makes it to the U.S. Supreme Court, legal scholars are estimating that it won’t be until mid-2012 at the earliest.

Here we go again, thanks to Federal Judge Vaughn Walker. Do you remember how this all started? Back in May 2009, Kristin Perry and Sandra Steir were denied a marriage license because they were a same-sex couple. They sued several state officials, and this went to trial as the case of Perry v. Schwarzenegger. This past Wednesday, Judge Walker finally issued his ruling on the case. He found that Proposition 8 violated the United States constitution (not just the California constitution) because it infringes on gay couples’ rights to equal protection and due process.

What does this mean for defenders of traditional marriage? Nothing yet. Judge Walker’s decision is being appealed, and both sides figure it will end up before the United States Supreme Court. (That could take two or three years.)

What’s at stake? Everything. If the Supreme Court upholds Proposition 8, then the five states and one district that currently allow gay marriage (Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermont, Iowa, New Hampshire, and the District of Columbia) would be forced to change their laws. If Prop 8 is struck down, the other 45 states would be forced to allow same-sex couples to marry.

Here we go again! For those of you not privileged to be acquainted with the annual event, let me give you some details about the Gay and Lesbian Day of Silence for 2010. Our friends at the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) have chosen April 16, 2010 as a day to raise awareness about the problem of harassment towards gays, lesbians, bisexuals, and transgender individuals. The short story is that students nationwide are encouraged to remain silent during the school day, and this somehow is supposed to help other students stop bullying.

As an educator, let me be the first to say that any kind of bullying or hate speech should be banned at public schools. But, is this really what the day is about? And, is this the best way to do it? The answer to both questions – NO! What on the surface appears to be a day to raise awareness of bullying in actuality is a day to promote homosexuality in schools. GLSEN wants your children and mine to accept their belief that homosexuality is normal and those who oppose it on moral grounds are prejudiced. Sorry, I don’t buy it!

For those who have taken a break from marriage news, Proposition 8 is again in the courts. The trial of Perry v. Schwarzenegger began in a San Francisco federal courtroom on January 11th. This lawsuit was brought about by two gay couples who were refused a marriage license in May 2009, one in Alameda County, one in Los Angeles County. Two well-known attorneys from the 2000 Bush v. Gore case, Theodore Olsen and David Boies, are representing the plaintiffs. The defendants are being represented by a group assembled by the Yes on 8 team, led by Charles Cooper and Andy Pugno.

Now in its third week, the trial has had many interesting twists and turns. For full details, see Andy Pugno’s blog at the Yes on 8 Home Page